To control or not to control?

As much as golfers practice and break down the details of various swings, how much control can a person ever totally have on the flight of a golf ball? With all the moving body parts used to create a swing, it’s so rewarding when it all comes together! That’s what makes the game of golf such a challenge. Most people have experienced “The Shot” that comes off the clubface so effortlessly with that ripe click and solid feel. We all want more of that, yet even the golf professionals can’t achieve total control of golf ball flight, despite their hours of practice. That’s part of the challenge of the game – the next shot could possibly be a great one! One of the best players in the world, Phil Mickelson, went into the last hole leading a past US Open and promptly hit the drive left of the hole and off a hospitality tent. How many times has he hit a straight drive on the driving range?

To gain a little more control in your game, realize that you must give up perfect control of each shot. LPGA legend Annika Sorenstam had some great quotes in an interview published in a past Golf for Women magazine. “Sometimes you prepare as well as you think you should and then the tournament starts and things happen you have no control over. I always say, once the ball leaves the clubface, it’s on its own and I can’t control it from there. It’s similar to driving a car; sometimes you go out and hit every green light and the next day you go out and every light is red.” When asked if ‘the lack of control ever frustrates her’, she replied “Not really. That’s golf. It’s why I enjoy the game so much. One time you think you have it, the next time you think you’re doing the same thing and the results are different… It’s all about making the most of what you have THAT day.” Wow, that sounds right on!

My favorite golf psychologist, Dr. Rick Jensen, gave a very descriptive demonstration at the PGA Teaching Summit and at several guest visits to our club. He had a jar full of red, green and black marbles. The ¼ red marbles represented the pitiful shots in golf, ¼ green marbles the awesome shots and remaining ½ black marbles the average shots in golf. He shook them up, pretended to step onto the tee and said “OK, I’ve practice and rehearsed the best I could and let’s now see what type of shot will appear. My intentions, set-up fundamentals and everything else I can control I have in place – let’s see what happens next”. And he pulled out a black marble. A moderate drive. I don’t think there will ever be a jar full of green marbles – wouldn’t it be nice though?!?

If you can realize that not everything in golf can be totally controlled, your expectations might make for a better, more relaxed round of golf. The more relaxed and less controlling you are, the more fun you might have! Do your best to plan the club choice, go through your pre-shot routine and take aim at the target. From there, give it your best effort and realize that once the ball leaves the clubface, you’ve done everything you could to send it on its way. Keep an open mind and be in control of what you CAN be!

Visit with a local PGA or LPGA teaching professional to work on things that are in your control and learn to manage your mental state with areas that aren’t.

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